August 26, 2024

MCPR hosts legislative leaders, MDA staff during UFC tour

Seeing is believing.

That’s why the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR) hosted a tour Aug. 19 for a bipartisan group of state and federal legislators at United Farmers Cooperative’s (UFC) Brownton facility.

Founded in 1915, UFC boasts 13 locations and serves roughly 285,000 acres in a 100-mile radius. The Brownton location is home to 53,000 tons of dry storage and 3.5 million gallons of liquid storage, making it an ideal location for legislators to witness the conscientious stewardship of the agriculture industry.

“The value of an event like this just always comes back to them seeing what’s really out in the real world,” said MCPR Secretary Brian Meyer, who works for Central Region Coop. “It’s a chance for them to be hands-on with the people running the show and seeing firsthand from the farmers and people in the industry what they need to be working for.”

Full story.

MDA discusses new requirements for mixers, loaders, handlers

At the MCPR Legislative Briefing at United Farmers Cooperative on Aug. 19, Roger Mackedanz from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division commented on the recent letter sent to pesticide license managers dated Aug. 1, 2024.

He wanted to reassure industry leaders and policymakers that MDA will be working to develop additional guidance and frequently asked questions documents to help clarify the new legislative requirements for ag retailers. Mackedanz invited MCPR members to send their questions and concerns to MDA for review and response. Based on the feedback that staff received from members, MCPR shared several comments and questions for MDA to consider as they develop guidance materials. During the discussion, Mackedanz indicated that MDA typically has an extended education and engagement period before engaging in enforcement activities for new requirements and rules. He noted that these changes were driven by the need for MDA to maintain compliance with EPA requirements to retain their licensing authority.

Mackedanz indicated that MDA heard the concerns about drivers' ability to deliver products to the farm site and the potential impact of requiring pesticide applicator licenses for these individuals. He noted that we should anticipate some clarification about managing workflow so drivers can avoid the new requirements if they are not directly involved with mixing or loading RUPs. He also discussed some examples of where the new requirement will require individuals to obtain an applicator license if the individual is physically involved in repackaging, mixing, loading, or applying an RUP. Again, he noted that MDA understands that it will take time for ag retailers to adjust their process and get staff properly trained and licensed.

Please watch for additional information from MDA in the coming weeks. If you have additional comments or thoughts on these policy changes, please contact MCPR Executive Director Lee Helgen at lee@mcpr-cca.org.

MCPR visits Centra Sota Santiago facilities

On Aug. 20, MCPR Executive Director Lee Helgen visited the Centra Sota Santiago facility to meet the leadership team and learn more about their services. Helgen enjoyed hearing about the diversity of crops they support and the differences in how they supply the truck farmer growing crops such as sweet corn and pumpkins for area grocery stores versus the more typical production agriculture of corn and soybeans. They also highlighted the additional investment in storage for potash necessary to meet the higher demand given the soil types in the central sands region. The Centra Sota team also discussed their precision ag program and their approach to supporting growers participating in various conservation and soil health programs.  

Minn. Democrats hope Walz will provide down-ballot boost

From Minnesota Star Tribune

The last time Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar were both on the ballot, Democrats swept every statewide race and won control of the Minnesota House. Will history repeat itself this November? State Democrats are optimistic that having the now vice-presidential candidate Walz and Klobuchar at the top of the ticket will help them retain their trifecta control of state government.

A Washington Post analysis found that vice presidential candidates boost their ticket by an average of 2.7 percentage points in their home states. That could translate to a larger victory for the Harris-Walz ticket that lifts other Minnesota Democrats on the ballot.

Full story.

Powell at Jackson Hole: ‘The time has come’ for the Fed to soon begin reducing interest rates

From KSTP



With inflation nearly defeated and the job market cooling, the Federal Reserve is prepared to start cutting its key interest rate from its current 23-year high, Chair Jerome Powell said Friday. Powell did not say when rate cuts would begin or how large they might be, but the Fed is widely expected to announce a modest quarter-point cut in its benchmark rate when it meets in mid-September.

Full story.

USDA Under Secretary says trade expansion a priority for U.S. agriculture

From Brownfield

Advancing and expanding U.S. agricultural trade remains a priority for USDA.

Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor tells Brownfield that includes diversifying what’s being exported.



Full story.

Canada moves to end rail shutdown quickly; CN workers to return to work

From Reuters

Workers at Canadian National Railway returned to work on Friday, hours after the Canadian government moved to end an unprecedented rail stoppage.



Full story.

EPA includes adjuvants in herbicide strategy

From CropLife

The EPA published its final Herbicide Strategy last week, which is designed to protect more than 900 species listed as threatened or endangered. The Herbicide Strategy includes more options for growers and reduces the burden on applicators compared to the draft released last year.



Full story.

Variable rate technology in agriculture: An in-depth look at the economic benefits and future growth

From Global Ag Tech Initiative

One of the innovations the modern world offers is variable rate technology (VRT), also known as variable rate application method. VRT uses data-driven tools like sensors, GPS, and maps to optimize the use of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. This allows farmers to tailor their approach to each part of their fields, maximizing yield and reducing waste.

Full story.

U of MN Extension – MN Crop News 

• Weekly Digest – August 22, 2024

2024 Environmental Congress in Mankato Sept. 26

Environmental Congress is a space to harness the energy and hopes of Minnesotans and cooperatively build a healthy future for our communities, wildlife, lands and waters. Participants will divide into small group conversations to discuss and identify shared goals and collective needs for key elements of the state’s ongoing efforts to address critical environmental issues. Participants will then have an opportunity to share their common viewpoints with each other and members of the Board.

The session on Sept. 26 in Mankato will be led by Minnesota Department of Agriculture staff with discussion around managing water pollution on agricultural lands.

Meetings will be from 4-6:30 p.m. and will include light snacks and refreshments. More details including event location, speakers and agenda will be shared out to participants once registration closes on Sept. 4.

Learn more and register here.

Upcoming webinar: EPA’s draft Insecticide Strategy

EPA will hold a public webinar on Sept. 5 from 1-2 ET to provide an overview of its draft Insecticide Strategy, which aims to bring insecticide registrations into compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

Learn more and register here.

Upcoming webinar: ARA-PHMSA Nurse Tank Testing Webinar



This Ag Retailers Association webinar on Oct. 15 will give an overview of nurse tank testing information from the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.



Learn more and register here.

Minnesota Crop Production Retailers 1020 Innovation Lane, Mankato, MN 56001

(763) 235-6466

mcpr-cca.org